The Best Shoe Rack

As editors on Wirecutter’s style and sustainability teams, respectively, Jen Hunter and Katie Okamoto, the writers of this guide, have both spent years trying to help readers optimize the functionality and aesthetic of their homes.

For this guide, we did the following:

• We researched more than 50 promising shoe racks before narrowing the field to our finalists.
• We spoke with a sales associate about her nearly 20 years of experience in the shoe department at Prada in New York City.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, we review and test products with complete editorial independence. We’re never made aware of any business implications of our editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

You can find hundreds of nearly identical shoe racks out there; our goal was to choose one that was not only sturdy and simple to assemble but also useful for a wide range of storage needs.

To help us understand the biggest difficulties most people face when it comes to shoe storage, we interviewed six professional organizers: Naeemah Ford Goldson, professional organizer and founder of the National Association of Black Professional Organizers (NABPO); Katrina Green, professional organizer and board member of NABPO; Rebekah Bashorun, professional organizer and founder of Organize for Love; Beth Penn, author of The Little Book of Tidying and founder of Bneato Bar; Abbey Claire Keusch, owner of Abbey Claire Professional Organizing; and Barbara Reich of Resourceful Consultants and author of Secrets of an Organized Mom. We also spoke with sales associate Bonnie Williams about her nearly 20 years of experience in the shoe department at Prada in New York City.

As anyone who has owned a crappy shoe rack can attest, certain factors will quickly turn any rack into more trouble than it’s worth, so we carefully considered the following criteria:

Stability: We wanted to find storage options that could handle the commotion of a regular household and hold up when jostled or bumped. When we scoured reviews, the number one owner complaint we noticed involved flimsy, wobbly racks that dumped shoes on the floor.

Capacity: We were looking for a rack that would easily hold a variety of shoe types and provide enough storage space to make it worth the purchase. We learned from reviews that people were often frustrated that a rack they bought didn’t hold as many shoes as it promised, or that it didn’t hold the specific kind of shoes they needed to store (like high heels and boots).

Ease of assembly: It was important to us that a shoe rack be simple to put together. So we looked for models that came with clear directions, needed few or no extra tools to assemble, and included good-quality, well-labeled parts.

Ability to customize: Because everyone owns a different combination of shoe types, and not all types fit perfectly on every rack, you’re unlikely to find the perfect, maximize-your-space rack without a little tweaking. That’s why we were especially interested in racks that allowed for some customization. They could be stackable, modular, or designed with shelves that are adjustable by height.

Style: Each rack’s styling and finishes factored into our decision. We think most people use a shoe rack inside a closet, where style isn’t of the utmost importance, but some people also want storage that will look nice out in the open. Even in a closet, racks that were too bulky seemed like a waste of valuable storage space, and racks without clean lines seemed like they’d be difficult to move around in a small area.

We researched more than 50 promising shoe racks before narrowing the field to our testing group of 15.

We tested how long it took to assemble each shoe rack—ranging from three minutes to nearly two hours. And we noted how clear the instructions were, how well the parts were labeled, and what additional tools (or knowledge) we needed. When a rack was adjustable, we tested that, too. We stacked multiple units, moved shelves, and added extensions to be sure that when a rack was used at full capacity, it would still perform well.

After we set up each rack, we filled it with shoes in a variety of styles and heel heights, as well as a range of other sizes—from tiny toddler shoes to a men’s size 12—noting how many pairs each rack held. And we checked for other variables, such as the space between tiers, the height of the first tier (to see whether a bonus row of shoes could fit underneath), and where each rack would work best in a home.

Finally, it was time for the “jiggle test”: We bumped, shook, and generally put each rack through its paces to see how stable and useful it was.

Top pick

Seville Classics 3-Tier Resin Slatted Shoe Rack

The best shoe rack

This rack is wobble-free, assembles in minutes, and lasts for years. But it’s not particularly attractive, and it’s heavy to move around.

Buying Options

$40 $31 from Amazon

(deal on gray)

$40 from Walmart

$39 from Home Depot

The Seville Classics 3-Tier Resin Slatted Shoe Rack has been our pick for over seven years, and we continue to stand by it. No other model we’ve tested has offered such a winning combination of stability, easy assembly, and versatility.

It has the sturdiest design. The Seville Classics rack has a weighty and substantial frame, yet its steel bars are slim—about half an inch wide. We didn’t find this combination in any other racks we tested: Models with thin frames were wobbly, and racks that were solid and heavy took up more space. Plus, this rack’s wide, rubber-tipped feet allow for leveling on uneven surfaces, so the rack will remain steady even on warped floors or a lumpy carpet.

Assembly is easy. This was the only rack we found with a fold-open frame. It doesn’t require screws, extra parts, or tools; instead, the frame opens like a book, and the shelves snap easily and securely in place.

You can customize it. The Seville Classics rack comes with three adjustable resin slat shelves, which you can place at different heights. For even more storage, you can stack multiple units vertically. Other racks we tested grew exponentially more precarious as their height increased, whereas the Seville Classics rack remained steady. The shelves are also strong enough to serve as a bridge, connecting the frames of two units, if you want to attach several together side by side.

It works for a variety of shoes. This rack’s three shelves hold between nine and 12 pairs of shoes, depending on the size of the shoes. And the shelves are 12 inches deep—roomy enough to accommodate a men’s size-12 shoe. The shelves’ slats are also wide enough to allow high heels to sit flat—with some competitors, the narrow heels fall through.

It’s built to last. Wirecutter staffers have used the Seville Classics rack in their own closets and garages for years. Senior staff writer Kimber Streams has owned this rack since 2016 and lauded its durability: “It’s held up great and it’s easy to clean, which is useful for winters in Buffalo when it gets all salty.” The rack comes with a one-year warranty; this was one of the only warranties we found among our test group.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Seville Classics rack isn’t the most stylish or sleek, but it’s also not noticeably ugly.
• This rack isn’t particularly easy to move around, especially when stacked. The units are a bit heavy, and they don’t lock together when stacked. To add a second unit, you simply insert the bottom prongs (where you’d otherwise screw on the rubber feet) into corresponding holes on the other frame. The two frames sit very securely together, but if you pick up the rack by its top handle, the units will separate. Sliding them back together is easy enough, but it can be annoying.

Runner-up

Oceanstar 2-Tier Bamboo Shoe Rack

A modern, lightweight option

This bamboo rack strikes a great balance between stability and portability. But it’s less customizable, and it isn’t as easy to assemble as others we tested.

Buying Options

$27 from Amazon

$27 from Walmart

$25 from Home Depot

The Oceanstar 2-Tier Bamboo Shoe Rack is lighter and more attractive than the Seville Classics Shoe rack, but it’s also less customizable. This is a great option for those looking for a shoe rack to leave out in the open.

It’s easy to move around. The Oceanstar model is light and has built-in handles, so it’s much easier to move around than our top pick, especially when it’s loaded up with shoes.

It’s light yet also strong. Despite its light frame, this rack was stronger than most of the other freestanding racks we tested, easily resisting wobbling when bumped. Our shoes—including the high heels—stayed put. Senior staff writer Kimber Streams’s cat, Artemis, loves to hop onto this rack for naps, and they report it’s never budged.

It’s stackable. Like the Seville Classics rack, the Oceanstar rack can stack vertically. And it does so nicely—wooden dowels secure the units together, and they don’t easily pull apart. The shelves are not adjustable, but they have a generous 8 inches of space between them, so most high heels and ankle boots will fit. This rack’s two shelves don’t hold as many pairs as our top pick does, but the Seville Classics rack costs a little less. It also comes in a tall, four-tier version, but we haven’t tested that one.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Oceanstar rack requires a bit more assembly than our top pick. You first attach the two shelves to the end pieces using the included screws and hex key (we appreciated that a key comes in the package). Assembly is easy enough—it took us only about eight minutes—but that hardly compared to the simplicity of unfolding and snapping together the Seville Classics rack.
• On our test unit, the bamboo was sanded smooth, but the squared-off handles had sharp edges; it would be nicer if they were rounded. And since the rack has no stabilizing feet, it might move around on some surfaces.

Upgrade pick

Yamazaki Home Tower Shoe Rack

An attractive, high-quality rack for shoes—or anything else

This investment-worthy rack is slim enough to fit in a closet and sleek enough for an entryway. This model can’t store small kids’ shoes, however, and you need a screwdriver to assemble it.

Buying Options

$106 from Amazon

$111 from Walmart

$125 from Wayfair

Durable and minimalist, compact yet capacious, the Yamazaki Home Tower Shoe Rack looks more like a nice piece of furniture than an average shoe rack.

It can store a lot. Its five shelves, plus space on the floor beneath, will comfortably hold 18 to 24 pairs of shoes, depending on their size and style. (By comparison, the Seville Classics rack holds nine to 12 pairs.) And the wooden top is an attractive shelf for holding keys, wallets, and other items (or even more shoes). You can also add two hooks (included) on the side, to hang things like an umbrella.

It’s versatile and strong. We’ve been testing this rack since 2020, and it never feels rickety or unstable, despite the steel’s slenderness. The open design is space-efficient—your shoes straddle two lateral steel bars for each “shelf,” so the rack can also double as a hanger. We’ve used it for more than shoes, draping jeans and bulky sweaters for easy access.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Due to the shelf design, the Yamazaki rack is not great for storing small kids’ shoes because they will fall through.
• The rack assembles quickly, but you need to use a screwdriver (not included).
• It’s pricier than our other picks—about three times as much as our top pick.

Best for

Yamazaki Home Tower Shoe Rack–Tall

Best for small spaces

This elegant little rack has a footprint of just one pair of shoes, yet it holds five. However, like the Yamazaki Home Tower Shoe Rack, it cannot hold small kids’ shoes.

Buying Options

$55 from Amazon

$55 from Walmart

$65 from Wayfair

For the smallest spaces, we like the Yamazaki Home Tower Shoe Rack–Tall, the compact cousin of our similarly named upgrade pick. It can house five pairs of shoes while taking up the floor space of just one pair.

It’s sleek and compact. Due to its thin, powder-coated steel frame and small footprint, this rack can fit in the tightest of corners, such as a crowded entryway or closet—but we think it looks equally great on display.

It’s easy to move around. The rectangular-shaped base gives the rack a sturdy footing, and the U-shape frame doubles as a handle, should you need to move the rack around when cleaning.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• This model assembles quickly, but you need to use a screwdriver to attach the two halves.
• Given that it holds only five pairs of shoes, this rack is not inexpensive.

Best for

IKEA Bissa

Best for narrow entryways

This cabinet stores shoes out of sight, and it’s slimmer and fits a narrow entryway better than any other model we tried. But it can tip forward if it’s not anchored to the wall, and shoes will shift a bit when you open and close it.

Buying Options

$50 from IKEA

For an entryway or anywhere else you want to store your shoes out of sight, the IKEA Bissa is the shoe cabinet we like best. It’s just as useful as shoe cabinets that are over three times the price, and it’s miles easier to assemble.

It’s very slim. At just under 20 inches wide and 11 inches deep, the Bissa is one of the slimmest models we found. It comes in two sizes—with either two or three compartments. Each compartment can hold about four pairs of shoes. The Bissa can also accommodate taller shoes, when you remove the drawer’s adjustable center divider; this is a feature common to most cabinet models.

Assembly is (relatively) easy. In true IKEA fashion, the Bissa’s instructions consist of a series of pictures, which are clear and (for the most part) easy to follow. The parts are well labeled, and the technique was mostly intuitive. We ran into a snag when inserting the shoe drawers in the cabinet, since that step was somewhat unclear in the instructions; it took a helpful YouTube video to get us back on track. Still, we finished the entire project in about 45 minutes, which seemed like a miracle after we spent two hours assembling our other shoe-cabinet contender, the Baxton Studio Simms.

It’s among the most affordable cabinets out there. We love the bargain price of the Bissa, which was the only shoe cabinet we found in the same price range as free-standing shoe racks. Most cabinets cost many times more. Sitting side by side with the other, pricier cabinet-style model we tested in person, the Bissa does look cheaper. But we didn’t think it looked that much worse than the more expensive Baxton Studio cabinet.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• IKEA highly recommends anchoring the Bissa to a wall so it doesn’t tip over (and we agree). A Wirecutter editor who uses the Bissa confirmed that though the Bissa is stable, it does sometimes tip forward when they are removing shoes, especially when the top compartment is fuller than the one below it.
• The back of the Bissa cabinet is open, to allow for ventilation and because it’s meant to be anchored against the wall. There is a convenient cutout along the bottom, to allow for a flush mount, even with a baseboard.
• Since the Bissa’s drawers pivot to open, your shoes will move around somewhat. So this cabinet might not be ideal for nice shoes that you don’t want scuffed, since they will touch each other.

Best for

Whitmor 36-Pair Over-the-Door Shoe Rack

Best for hanging over a door

If floor space is tight, this over-the-door rack avoids the usual annoyances in this category: Its rubber-lined hooks are more secure than those on any other model we tested, and its configurable shelves hold a wider variety of shoe sizes and types. It’s unsightly, though, and you may not be able to shut your door properly. ]

Buying Options

$24 from Amazon

In a notoriously terrible category, the Whitmor 36-Pair Over-the-Door Shoe Rack manages to shine. It avoids many of the usual pitfalls that make people hate hanging racks, and it holds more shoes than any of our other picks.

It’s sturdy and easy to build. Unlike most over-the-door hanging racks, which are made of fabric with pockets, the Whitmor shoe rack consists of horizontal metal bars, which create 12 shelves. Assembly was quick (about 10 minutes) and intuitive, but we had to use extra muscle when inserting the bars—they were a bit wobbly in the frame until we pounded them together (we used the heel of a boot on the fly, but you can use a mallet).

This rack held most of our shoes (even when we slammed the door). Other hanging shoe racks we tried have slippery bars that let our shoes fall through, but the bars on this rack were textured and gripped our shoes well. The hanging door hooks are strong and lined with rubber, so this model stays securely attached to the door.

It’s adjustable. The Whitmor model was the only hanging rack we tested that could be adjusted. The frame comes in three sections that clip together, so you can adjust the length of the rack, depending on how many shoes you need to store. You can also fold in the shelves so there’s more room between levels, allowing for taller shoes.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Having shoes on your door isn’t ideal because the extra weight can stress the door's hinges. The hooks may also prevent the door from shutting properly or possibly even damage the door trim, if forced.
• This rack is not well suited for very small or very long shoes. Short toddler shoes barely reached both bars, and they felt less secure, and men’s size-12 shoes stuck out too far.

If you want a stylish rack and don’t mind splurging: The steel Open Spaces Entryway Rack
has a trendy, minimalist aesthetic, and it holds 12 pairs of shoes—with about 7½ inches between each shelf and plenty of space for tall styles up top. We’ve also found the top bar useful for storing a yoga mat (without rolling forward). The rack is very sturdy, holding two 10-pound weights on the second shelf with no issue. But it costs over $180, and assembly was a little difficult. Therefore, we recommend it only for those who are patient and don’t mind dropping major coin.

If you want a basic, unconventional shoe-storage system: The Crates & Pallet Large Wood Crate is a solid, if rustic, option. The divided version is handy for creating more space, but these crates don’t stack securely, and they’re a bit bulky given the amount of storage they offer. We can see these working well if you want to store outdoor shoes on a porch or in a mudroom, but we don’t think they’re ideal for more-delicate shoes.

If you want an inexpensive fabric over-the-door hanging organizer: The Honey-Can-Do 2-Pair Beige Canvas Hanging Shoe Organizer had all of the problems inherent to over-the-door models, but it was the best fabric hanging rack we found. The bamboo panel looks nice and helps to keep the panel flat against the door, and the hooks fit a standard door securely. And this model is made with a good-quality canvas. But, as with most hanging fabric racks, this one has pockets that fit just one shoe each, and they tend to sag. However, if you have lots of children’s shoes that you want to get off the floor (each pocket fits a pair of toddler-size shoes), this model would be a good budget option.

We really liked The Container Store’s Silver Mesh Stackable Shoe Shelf, and we came close to making it a pick. But as we added more levels, the racks became too wobbly to win our recommendation. This rack would be ideal if you needed just one level.

The shelves of the Whitmor 20-Pair Shoe Rack were too slick and far apart, so our shoes easily slipped through.

The Container Store’s 8-Pair Shoe Organizer was the best cubby-style option we found, but we still don’t recommend it. These cubbies are wide enough for a pair of shoes to sit side by side, but they’re too short to hold heels or ankle boots. The shelves also attract a lot of lint and dust. Even though it comes with white plastic caps, to cover up the exposed black screws, they all fell off too easily, leaving very noticeable black screws against an all-white surface.

The Container Store’s 12-Pair Shoe Organizer has the same outer dimensions (and proclivity for dust) as the 8-Pair Shoe Organizer, above, but this one divides the interior area into 12 smaller cubbies. So the compartments are too little to fit anything except very small, narrow flats or kids’ shoes.

The Container Store’s Clearline Stackable Shoe Drawers offer a good way to protect and display delicate shoes. The drawers are made from good-quality plastic, and they stack well, but they also show every fingerprint and look dirty quickly. We found the small box incapable of fitting any pair except sandals or flats. The more expensive large box fit some of our heels (on their sides only, which isn’t ideal for display) but not our ankle boots.

The Baxton Studio Simms Shoe Cabinet was the most expensive cabinet model we tested, and it totally disappointed us. Assembly was a nightmare, thanks to unclear directions and poorly labeled parts. It took two people nearly two hours to complete the job.

If you’ve found that most over-the-door racks don’t fit your thicker-than-average door, consider the Misslo Hanging Over the Door Shoe Organizer. The hooks are wider (1¾ inches) than on most other styles. But if you have a standard door (1⅜ inches), you should skip this model because loose hooks only increase the sag factor. The pockets are large yet fit just one adult shoe per slot.

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.